Jump to content

Hallmark Channel: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 9: Line 9:
owner= [[Crown Media|Crown Media Holdings]]([[Hallmark cards]]/[[Discovery Communications]])|
owner= [[Crown Media|Crown Media Holdings]]([[Hallmark cards]]/[[Discovery Communications]])|
headquarters= [[Studio City, California]], [[United States of America|U.S.]]|
headquarters= [[Studio City, California]], [[United States of America|U.S.]]|
web=[http://www.hallmarkchannel.com.com/ Hallmark Channel] |
web=[http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/ Hallmark Channel] |
| cable serv 1 = Available on most cable systems
| cable serv 1 = Available on most cable systems
| cable chan 1 = Check Local Listings for channels
| cable chan 1 = Check Local Listings for channels

Revision as of 10:37, 2 June 2009

This article is about the U.S. channel. For the channel outside of the U.S., see Hallmark Channel (International).
Hallmark Channel
HeadquartersStudio City, California, U.S.
Ownership
OwnerCrown Media Holdings(Hallmark cards/Discovery Communications)

The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. They specialize in re-broadcasting classic syndicated series and television movies that are appropriate for the whole family. It is owned by Crown Media Holdings, in turn majority-owned by Hallmark Cards.

History

File:Odyssey-1.jpg
Logo, as the Odyssey Network

In the United States, the network began as two separate religious cable channels. These two channels shared time on the same channel and began in 1988. VISN (the Vision Interfaith Satellite Network) aired about 12 hours a day and had religious programs from mainline Protestant denominations like the United Methodist Church, the more liberal Lutheran Church, United Church Of Christ, and others. They also had Roman Catholic programming along with a couple shows from the Mormon Church and programming from Jewish faiths. VISN aired in mornings and evenings. The other channel was ACTS (American Christian Television Station) Network. They aired afternoons and late nights. That channel aired programming from evangelical and fundamentalist non charismatic Christian groups like Southern Baptist Convention, Christian Reformed Church, Association of Regular Baptist Churches, as well as well known evangelists like Jerry Fawell, Charles Stanley, D James Kennedy, among others. Both channels had several hours a week of religious children's programs, some of which overlapped. These shows included Sunshine Factory, Joy Junction, Davey And Goliath, and others. Initially, each network was distinct and had nothing to do with each other. In 1991, after some financial problems one single ecumenical group took over both networks and began mixing their programming making the two networks into one. The combined network then ran under the name VISN/ACTS, but later in 1993, was renamed the Faith and Values Channel. They continued to broadcast religious programming only until 1994, when a few secular shows were added. These were exercise shows, health and cooking shows, family-type dramas, and family-type drama movies. More secular programming was started in 1996. At that time religious programming was down to about 10 hours a day. Faith And Values was then renamed the Odyssey Channel, using the domain name Odysseyfamily.com for posting TV listings.

Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company bought stakes in Odyssey in November 1998. At that point religious programs were down to four hours a day. Some classic sitcoms, The Muppet Show, other secular children's programming, and more family movies were added. Henson sold his interest in the channel to Hallmark in 2000. Odyssey then dropped much of the children's programming and cut back the religious shows to a few hours a week on Sundays. The channel was officially renamed The Hallmark Channel on August 5, 2001.[1] The channel continued to focus on family drama shows, drama movies, classic sitcoms, and other general entertainment. More recent sitcoms and dramas were eventually added.

Company milestones

In October 2006, Henry Schleiff was appointed the new CEO, overseeing all of the networks’ divisions.[2] Prior to this position, Schleiff was Chairman and CEO of Court TV.[3] On May 6, 2009, he stepped down as CEO. William J. Abbott, Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales stepped in to the position the same day. Both parties said Schleiff's departure was amicable.[4]

In January 2007, Hallmark Channel dropped the Hallmark crown from its logo, but still uses it in certain places on-air, and in other countries.

On May 27, 2007, Hallmark Channel launched “Watch With Me,” a new national public affairs initiative aimed to promote programming for families to watch together, and "to spend more time together."[1]

In 2008, Hallmark Channel unveiled a new branding campaign with predominantly gold coloring, a stylized logo, and a new slogan: "Make Yourself At Home".

In February 2008, the Hillary Clinton campaign purchased an hour of Hallmark Channel's primetime under a paid programming arrangement on February 4, 2008, the day before the multi-state "Super Tuesday (2008)" primaries. [5]

Programming

Hallmark Channel Headquarters, Studio City, CA

Hallmark Channel airs syndicated series, original movies, and past segments from their parent company's Hallmark Hall of Fame anthology series, which features made-for-television movies and miniseries, most of them from the series' CBS run.

Series

See: List of Programs broadcasting currently

The channel is currently showing these syndicated series:

The channel retains rights to air Murder, She Wrote and Matlock, but does not air them currently. A variety of other shows, such as JAG, Judging Amy, Perry Mason, Hogan's Heroes, and Walker, Texas Ranger have shown on Hallmark Channel, but the network no longer holds the rights to air them.

Original movies

The network's made-for-TV movies are characterized as family-friendly and inspirational, ranging from holiday-themed films to westerns. In the early stages of the channel's development, the channel had a steady one-movie-a-month, or 12-a-year, production schedule and were mainly produced by RHI Entertainment. However, as of 2008 the company has ramped up their production schedule to approximately 30 movies a year and opened up to other production companies.[6]

See: List of Hallmark Channel Original Films

New Morning

Hallmark Channel aired an original weekday morning show entitled "New Morning" in 2002 and added a Sunday morning version, hosted by Naomi Judd, entitled "Naomi's New Morning" in 2005. The show was pulled from the schedule in early 2007.

Hallmark Heroes

On December 11, 2007 Hallmark Channel announced that it will launch “Hallmark Heroes with Regis Philbin,” a mini-series/special that recognizes ordinary Americans who make contributions to their communities and change the lives of others.[1] The two on-air specials were hosted by Regis Philbin, and the first installment aired on Christmas Day 2008.[7] In the second edition, Philbin and Hallmark Channel honored Jane Seymour, who was recognized for her extensive work on behalf of the American Red Cross and their Measles Initiative.[8]

Holiday seasons

Home for the Holidays, Hallmark Channel's annual event highlighting the winter holidays, begins the day after Thanksgiving. During this time the channel airs holiday films, made-for-TV movies, and original Christmas movies, as well as changing the overall look of the channel to fit the holiday season.

Similarly, during February the network features Whole Lotta' Love Month with romantic movies, also changing the look of the channel graphically with a valentine heart theme.[9]

Consumer website

On November 19, 2007 the network refreshed its consumer website, www.hallmarkchannel.com, offering users microsites dedicated to original programming and marketing initiatives[1], such as sweepstakes and special 'events' like "Crime Time Sunday"[10]. Some of the microsites have games centered around the movie's theme.[11]

They also began to stream their award-winning original series, "Adoption"[12], marking the first time the network has scheduled a full-length program online.[1]

On Location

On July 21, 2008 the website launched its original online series called "On Location" that features an on-camera host who introduces interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of Hallmark Channel's original movies. The segments are featured on each movies' individual microsite.[1] The series had a soft launch in July 2007 with the title "Inside Story" and a different host for Avenging Angel,[13] Charlie & Me,[14] The Good Witch,[15] Daniel's Daughter,[16] and The Note.[17]

In 2009, the online show was revamped again, removing the on-camera host altogether. Love Takes Wing is the last title featured in an "On Location" with an on-camera host. All titles following do not have an on-camera host.[18]

Online Shop

On January 29, 2009 the company announced the development of an online movie shop at both www.hallmarkchannel.com and www.hallmarkmoviechannel.com featuring DVD movies and movie-related products from its library.[19] The shop is powered by the Amazon Associates program. Since its soft launch in mid-2008, Hallmark Channel has already generated sales of over 10,000 items. The network earns a commission on each sale.[20]

Hallmark Channel Around the World

Main article: Hallmark Channel (International)

The name Hallmark is also used for various cable channels worldwide. Hallmark Channel across the country is owned by NBC Universal and is run by different entities that have access to the Hallmark name and brand. They also have different programming and standards than Hallmark Channel USA.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Hallmark Channel Press site: Company Milestones
  2. ^ Hallmark Channel Press site: Bio Page
  3. ^ Unicef contributor's profile
  4. ^ "Crown Media Holdings President and CEO Henry Schleiff To Leave Hallmark Channel". Hallmark Channel Press Site. 5-6-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Clinton Buys Block on Hallmark Mediaweek 2008-01-31
  6. ^ Hallmark Channel Press Release: 7/12/2007
  7. ^ Hallmark Heroes Microsite
  8. ^ Hallmark Channel: About Us/Specials Section, acquired 2/9/2009
  9. ^ Whole Lotta Love Month microsite
  10. ^ Crime Time Sunday Microsite
  11. ^ Hallmark Channel Press Release 1/28/09
  12. ^ Adoption Microsite
  13. ^ Avenging Angel Microsite
  14. ^ Charlie & Me Microsite
  15. ^ The Good Witch Microsite
  16. ^ Daniel's Daughter Microsite
  17. ^ The Note Microsite
  18. ^ Love Takes Wing Microsite
  19. ^ Hallmark Channel Online Shop
  20. ^ Hallmark Channel Press Release 1/29/09
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hallmark_Channel&oldid=293917323"